ANN YUHASZ
and expression. Head line and the shape of a muzzle are very important, as are the eyes and ears that give the breed its unique look. Lagotto Romagnolo should have a tender, intelligent and soft gaze. Coat is very important: dense, curly and with woolly textures curled into tight rings. AY: My must haves for the Lagotti are correct size, denti- tion and coat. Of course this is already assuming that the exhibit has the basics of type! This is a measurable breed with quite a wide variation between smallest bitch and largest dog. That may leave you a ring with animals that really are not consistent in size (if you are doing a spe- cialty) or if there is only one or two will you be able to know? A wicket will be helpful. Second, there is a denti- tion description that is a DQ for a pronounced undershot bite that it more than a 1 ¼ inch space between upper and lower incisors. This leaves room for conjecture and I do not see sticking a measuring tape in a dog’s mouth as a solution. The clipped coat also leaves room for interpre- tation in a rustic breed. The standard says a dog can be eliminated from competition for excessive grooming but it is not a DQ. Where does one draw the line? Because the standard calls for clipping some areas it may be hard to keep excess from creeping in. I had one exhibitor expressly ask me about this possible problem. 3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? NL: Lagotti are not specific among other breeds. The term generic dog can apply to them too as one of general exag- geration (generic dog = having no particularly distinctive quality). MEM: Since this breed is relatively new in the Sporting group, I think that the breeders are doing a pretty good “THE LAGOTTO ROMAGNOLO IS A VERY UNIQUE BREED
My husband and I split the year between Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Key Largo, Florida. Outside of dogs I have a very full life as I still work as a CFO for my son’s printing company; I love to paint and I keep a garden at both homes. When in Florida we fish as well! We raised and showed English Setters starting in the 60s and added Flat-Coated Retrievers in the
80s. I have been judging since 1988 and presently have two groups and some breeds in other groups. I think of myself as, basically, a sporting person. 1. Describe the breed in three words. NL: Medium size, regular build with a rustically appearance. MEM: After judging them several times and having the great fortune to meet a good number of breeders, owners and dogs at their first national last year, if I had to describe the breed in three words, they would be: smallish, rustic and curly. JR: Compact, balanced, rustic—I love that word in the standard. VMSS: Italy, truffles, rustic. I think that both terms rustic and natural fit very well with this breed. The Lagotto Romagnolo is a very unique breed thanks to both its history and look. AY: I would guess three words to describe the Lagotto would be proportions, rustic and curly. I say this as the standard has more proportions and measurements than many standards for other sporting dogs. Those measure- ments can be confusing to new judges and even those who have been around the block a couple of times! 2. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? NL: Easily recognizable as this breed on first view, typical coat and playful temperament. MEM: The three things (other than being free of disqualify- ing faults) that I think are must haves are a wooly, curly dense coat with an undercoat; a good, fully developed head; sound and solid body of a Working Sporting dog. JR: I must see a balanced dog with the proper coat and a high degree of agility. The rustic comes from a proper coat which obviates the necessity for excessive trimming, blow drying, etc. A head that is balanced is really a defin- ing characteristic of the breed, along with the generic soundness criteria. VMSS: Except for excellent anatomy, harmony and proper movement, of course, the Lagotto Romagnolo has to have the rustic feel and be natural in its build, movement
THANKS TO BOTH ITS HISTORY AND LOOK.”
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